​I've hit a stall on the whole sandpit build. Mulch has been spread in the flower beds, but nothing has progressed on the giant hole in the middle of our backyard. Eloise thinks 'her pit' is great fun and jumps in and out of it, but it is still just a pit (and when it rains it is a mud pit). Plus I've received some questions on how I am going to cover this sandpit to prevent the beloved neighborhood cats from creating their own private giant litter box. I have received one sound piece of advice though from my recently retired dad. His experience is a playhouse will offer many more years of entertainment than a giant litter box (although it could offer some interesting treasure hunts). So, listening to my experienced dad I have researched and found some design ideas (hint, hint dad, I know you are reading this blog). 

1) since the hole is already there, let's hide some of it in a pirate ship! it would be a fun 'below deck' area!
2) or let's make a trapdoor in the deck of the ship to a hidden sandpit (it's like a buried treasure hunt!)
3) go big or go home! why build just an 'impression' of a ship, when really kids want doors and ladders and slides and planks to jump off of?

So dad....when do we start?  

All photo sources are credited and linked through the images.

Read more in sandpit part 4.
Back to sandpit part 2.

What a great weekend it is turning out to be!

If you're heading outside, especially with kids, there are many great splash pads in Durham Region (you can find my complete map listing HERE). But there are some other ways to beat the heat this summer, and in some cases even avoid the crowds! I've compiled an image gallery (with links) of our 9 favourite ways to beat the heat when the temperatures rise. Have you tried any?

What's your favourite family beat the heat activity?

Yesterday I learned the difference between the power of saying "I can" vs "I can't". Eloise wanted to play at the park at her school when I picked her up. I've never let her before because it is a 'big kids' park and I thought she would get frustrated with the ladders to the slides (as she is used to stairs and ramps). 

One of her friends was going to play at the park so that changed everything. I let her give it a try. The first ladder she got to she made it up the first rung then yelped "Help mommy! I can't do it!" I calmly replied with a hearty "Yes you can! Push with your foot." all the while holding myself back from intervening. And you know what? She did it! She got to the top, figured out where to grab the platform when there were no more ladder rungs, and pulled herself up all on her own! I am one proud momma, but the look of self accomplishment on her face made me even prouder. 

Now, the ladder she scaled consisted of a whole two rungs. Yep BIG accomplishment right? She sure thought so and did it a couple more times before she spied the 8 rung ladder going to "the big daddy slide" (her words not mine). I was a little more hesitant about this one as the fall and risk were much larger, even though she was oblivious to those factors. She got about half way before getting a bit unsteady, but I still tried not to help. The protective side of me though had my hands out hovering around Eloise's waist all the way to the top 'just in case'. But once again she was fine, because I kept telling her "You can do it!".

Did you know this works for adults too? If you tell yourself you can't do it, the likelihood of you doing it is less because you already don't believe it. But tell yourself you can do it and your willpower to accomplish something increases along with your confidence! 

What have you accomplished today with "I can"?